iridium
Densest stable element
Iridium is a dense, silvery-white metallic element, one of the platinum group metals.
It is extremely hard, brittle, and resistant to corrosion—the most corrosion-resistant metal known.
Iridium appears in spark plugs, crucibles, and other applications requiring durability under extreme conditions.
A layer of iridium-rich sediment marks the asteroid impact that ended the dinosaurs.
Densest stable element
- rhodiumPlatinum group element
- palladiumElement forty-six, catalytic metal
- rutheniumRare metallic element, number forty-four
- platinumDense precious silvery metal
rhenium · isotopes · dense · corrosion-resistant · high-melting · refractory
Space debris reaching Earth
- asteroidSun-orbiting rocky mass
- impactForceful contact or consequence
- extinctionComplete vanishing of a species
- anomalyDeparture from the expected
Alvarez · crater · chondrite · isotope · stratigraphy · bolide · ejecta · geochemistry
Most tightly concentrated
lustrous · silvery-white · corrosion-resistant · refractory · ductile · malleable · conductive · precious
Conductive interface point
- crucibleVessel for extreme heat
- thermocoupleDual-metal temperature sensor
- sputteringParticle ejection from surfaces
- filamentVery thin thread
high-temperature · corrosion-resistant · wear-resistant · alloy · coating · aerospace · radiopaque
Bonding hydrogen to compounds
- homogeneousAlike in composition throughout
- heterogeneousConsisting of dissimilar elements
- complexesRelated buildings or neuroses
- chiralNot matching its reflection
activation · substrates · metathesis · cyclization · asymmetric · organometallic · coordination · synthesis
Secondary outcome of production
- extractionAct of removing
- refiningRemoving unwanted elements
- smeltingExtracting metal from ore
- concentrateReduced, potent form
tailings · placer · alluvial · nugget · reserves · production · supply · market
osmium
Densest stable element
- rhodiumPlatinum group element
- palladiumElement forty-six, catalytic metal
- rutheniumRare metallic element, number forty-four
platinum · rhenium · isotopes · dense · corrosion-resistant · high-melting · refractory
meteorite
Space debris reaching Earth
- asteroidSun-orbiting rocky mass
- impactForceful contact or consequence
- extinctionComplete vanishing of a species
Alvarez · anomaly · crater · chondrite · isotope · stratigraphy · bolide · ejecta · geochemistry · palladium
densest
Most tightly concentrated
brittle · lustrous · silvery-white · corrosion-resistant · refractory · ductile · malleable · conductive · precious · rare
electrode
Conductive interface point
- crucibleVessel for extreme heat
- thermocoupleDual-metal temperature sensor
- sputteringParticle ejection from surfaces
filament · high-temperature · corrosion-resistant · wear-resistant · alloy · coating · aerospace · radiopaque
hydrogenation
Bonding hydrogen to compounds
- homogeneousAlike in composition throughout
- heterogeneousConsisting of dissimilar elements
- complexesRelated buildings or neuroses
chiral · activation · substrates · metathesis · cyclization · asymmetric · organometallic · coordination · synthesis · reactions
byproduct
Secondary outcome of production
- extractionAct of removing
- refiningRemoving unwanted elements
- smeltingExtracting metal from ore
concentrate · tailings · placer · alluvial · nugget · reserves · production · supply · market · price
- elementsoxygen, hydrogen, carbon, helium, nitrogen
- metalsaluminum, steel, copper, iron, gold
- Transition Metalsscandium, titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese
- heavy metalslead, gold, platinum, mercury, uranium
- rare valuablesgold, platinum, diamond, ruby, emerald
- catalystsenzyme, catalyst, active site, platinum, coenzyme
- iridium layerMetal-rich geological stratum